Jaws had to be picked up from the floor after Jon Snow announced he had quit Channel 4 after 32 years.
The loyal 72-year-old explained that the time was right to move on – before adding he was “proud” of his achievements.
His statement on Thursday read: “After three incredible decades on Channel 4 News, it is time to move on.
“I am excited by the many things I want to accomplish but I have to say I have enjoyed every minute of my time with the programme.
“It has brought me adventure, as well as sorrow in some of the stories that I have had to report and also joy in reporting others, but above all, it has brought me community in working with the most fantastic group of people who are bound in intellect, humour and understanding.
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“I’m looking forward to new adventures and new challenges.”
He has read out many headlines during his time – but also made quite a few of his own, as well.
Now, as he prepares to undo his tie, we take a closer look at the man who for many simply is Channel 4, including his family life, becoming a dad in his 70s and finding love again.
A dad again at 73
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In March the presenter and his wife Dr Precious Lunga welcomed a child together after 11 years of marriage.
He revealed that the baby was carried by a surrogate after various setbacks.
“In our desire to seal our now 11 years of marriage with a baby, my wife suffered numerous medical setbacks and miscarriages,” he stated.
“Consequently, we will always be deeply grateful to our surrogate, who carried our embryo to term.
“Amid these challenging times, we feel doubly blessed to be able to celebrate our good fortune.”
Jon also has two daughters, Leila, 37, and Freya, 34.
Finding love again
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Back in 2010, Jon married Precious Lunga on the Caribbean island of Mustique.
He fell for the Zimbabwe-born academic, who is 27 years his junior.
Incredibly, he walked Precious down a beach rather than the aisle in front of a handful of friends and family.
The service was conducted at the £800-a-night Firefly Hotel, where past guests have included rocker Mick Jagger and actors Liz Hurley and Hugh Grant.
They are still very much growing strong, a few months into parenthood.
Not marrying before…
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The legendary broadcaster was previously in a 35-year relationship with human rights lawyer Madeleine Colvin.
Sharing daughters Leila, and Freya, it seemed like they would be together forever.
But the pair didn’t ever marry – and he has never explained why.
In 2007 the cracks started to show and it is then, reports state, that they called it a day.
A few years later, the C4 legend and Precious Lunga found each other.
…but he had been engaged
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After meeting while working as volunteers at a homeless centre when Jon was 24, he and Madeleine dated for seven years.
But in 1979 he broke off the relationship, according to the Daily Mail.
Two weeks later, the publication say, he announced he was engaged to sultry Anna Ford.
Things didn’t last long with the TV pin-up and things ended after four months.
The presenter soon rekindled his love with Madeleine and they went on to be together for more than 25 years.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
